Word Origin & History

polite 1263, from L. politus "refined, elegant," lit. "polished," pp. of polire "to polish, to make smooth." Used literally at first in Eng.; sense of "elegant, cultured" is first recorded 1501, that of "behaving courteously" is 1762.

Example Sentences for politeness

Now she had some one to talk to, to release the gentlemen from the imperative claims of politeness.

Just when you get where their politeness has smoothed you down, look out for a knife in your back.

And an ordinary Oriental would never rise of his own natural free will out of politeness to a woman.

The housewives admired her economy, the patients her politeness, the poor her charity.

Out of politeness, I did not wish to read it in your presence.

They thanked him for his politeness, and followed his directions.

The bird chattered incessantly, mostly about Africa; but now she spoke in English, out of politeness to me.

Cuzak began at once to talk about his holiday—from politeness he spoke in English.

There Mr. Holiday, after giving him a franc, thanked him for his politeness, and bade him good bye.

It had, in fact, been created entirely out of politeness by the priest.